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Item not as described but... Help?

Hello

I'd appreciate some advice please. I recently bought a glass drinks set from a seller on ebay and paid 20ukpish, with just under 10ukp postage on top. I was quite happy with the item from the description and the available photos..... Well, it's arrived, well packaged and the 10ukp postage was reasonable.

But on unwrapping near all the glasses have some fault with them. The description states 'lovely original condition free from any damage'.

However in a set of six pressed glasses two have huge bubbles, one has a dent from mis-pressing and another has two what look like slicemarks in the rim that can only have been made during production. I agree that this is their original condition but... it's hardly a case of being free from damage. These faults are not clear in the photos. :( Additionally the jug is, well on the wonk, to put it mildly - in the photos its only shown from the side where this isn't evident.

The seller offers a refund without question minus original postage, so long as they are returned at my expense.

My dilemma is this; the original postage was a tenner, unrecorded. Returning them recorded (as the seller specifies) would cost more and be above my original purchase price.

What should I do? I feel that the condition is hardly as I'd have expected but my options of return are uneconomical. Given that the seller offers a refund I can hardly open a case within ebay either.

I feel as though the seller has been disingenuous in their listing of the set. I'd never have bid if the true condition had been clear.

Thank you for your advice.

Hypothetical

Comments

  • pulliptears
    pulliptears Posts: 14,583 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    File a not as described dispute with Paypal. Your seller will then have no choice but to refund your original P&P but you will be responsible for return postage.

    Sometimes you do drop on a decent seller that will say 'oops sorry!' and refund you both lots of postage, but your seller doesnt appear to be one of those.
  • Ignore the fact that the seller will offer a refund , just open a paypal dispute for not as described.
    You will be required to return at your cost, but you should be able to find a courier who will do this far cheaper than Royal mail.
    Just make sure that the shipment will get a signature on delivery and that this can be viewed online.

    You will also have to make sure that they cover glass for damage, or that the items are wrapped up to withstand being thrown about and dropped.

    If the dispute goes in your favour (almost guaranteed), you will get the full amount back that you originally paid (item + original postage costs).
  • pulliptears
    pulliptears Posts: 14,583 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic

    The seller offers a refund without question minus original postage, so long as they are returned at my expense.


    Firstly you should ALWAYS contact the seller with any problem.

    Do NOT just jump on a dispute.

    Give the seller a chance to sort the matter out.

    ??????????
  • chancesare_2
    chancesare_2 Posts: 1,788 Forumite
    I saw that. Maybe an error? Was quick.

    However, the OP does say 'the seller offers' rather than 'the seller offered'....perhaps they haven't been in touch with the seller? The former sounds like quoting a T&C on the listing rather than a response???
  • RainbowDrops
    RainbowDrops Posts: 4,674 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    I would contact the seller again before opening a case to give them a chance to refund the original postage costs.
    They seem to have been good to respond initially, so just explain to them that you think it's unfair to expect you to loose the originaly postage when it was for an item that you think was not in the condition you expected it to be.

    But if they resist offering you this, then go to a case.
    And as others have said, look into returning the glasses through a courrier, but make sture the glass is suitably packaged to prevent breakages.
  • pulliptears
    pulliptears Posts: 14,583 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    chancesare wrote: »
    I saw that. Maybe an error? Was quick.

    However, the OP does say 'the seller offers' rather than 'the seller offered'....perhaps they haven't been in touch with the seller? The former sounds like quoting a T&C on the listing rather than a response???

    Ooh, yes its gone!
    Weird.
  • steveo3002
    steveo3002 Posts: 2,731 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    gwhizz courier should take them for around £8.50 and signed for , i think thats about as cheap as it gets but check with other parcel brokers once you have the size
  • Hello again... No idea what was going on there with the appearing and disappearing replies.

    The information about the seller offering refunds minus postage is from their T&Cs on their listing.

    What I'm going to do is firstly write to them outlining my disappointment with the condition of the item and stating that I'd like a refund, however in view of the costs of return vs the cost of the item I feel that it would be fairer if this were also to include the cost of the original postage, unless they have an alternative suggestion.

    Secondly... I'll see what they have to say. Fingers crossed.

    I must admit I hate confrontation, even by email/ ebay messages. I really hope they'll be reasonable about it.

    Hypothetical
  • theonlywayisup
    theonlywayisup Posts: 16,032 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited 20 March 2012 at 2:46PM
    Apologies, my reply went. I was on a phone posting when it appeared as triplicate. I deleted but think I went too far!

    OP, you must always contact the seller, despite what is in their listings. Give them the opportunity first. Then if they are not receptive open a case as detailed above.

    There is no need to be confrontational. Perhaps something along the lines....
    Dear Seller

    Thank you so much for the quick delivery, it was much appreciated. I have unpacked the glasses and I am afraid there are a few flaws which were not evident/described on the listing.....insert details....

    I would be grateful if you could clarify your returns process as I would like to return them to you for a full refund.

    Yours buyer.
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